The affair between UK Health Minister Matt Hancock and his aide Gina Coladangelo, both of whom are married with three children, has prompted a flood of commentary and memes online.
Hancock has been mercilessly mocked on social media after CCTV footage of him kissing his aide was leaked. The sarcastic comments posted on Twitter freely referred to Hancock’s professional life where as Health Secretary he was meant to lead the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and has been relentless in telling his fellow countrymen to keep socially distanced from each other.
The phrase “eat out to help out” – initially used by the government to encourage Brits to dine in restaurants to help the hospitality sector – started trending on Twitter on Friday in relation to Hancock.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock and his Aide really did take ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ seriously didn’t they? #matthanock pic.twitter.com/MWwSPvq03m
— Joe (@joesaunders) June 25, 2021
Well…Matt Hancock brought a whole new meaning to the ‘Eat out to help out’ scheme didn’t he… pic.twitter.com/IUe9g2mvMs
— Kirsty 🌸🌿 (@MumSleepRepeat) June 25, 2021
This is #matthanock this morning telling his wife he really did eat out to help out. pic.twitter.com/5W6d9vgcLw
— Parsy …🏴 (@ParsPhil) June 25, 2021
Others recalled the government campaign to prevent spread of coronavirus indoors – “Hands, Face, Space” – and applied it in a different way to Matt Hancock.
New slogan by Matt Hancock.
Hands, Face, Back to My Place #matthanock #matthancock pic.twitter.com/57Whw8VmGk
— Matt Flint 🎮🚀🌍 (@MattiFlint) June 25, 2021
Matt Hancock or Mr HANDS , FACE , NO PERSONAL SPACE pic.twitter.com/5XOzTvyeX0
— Harriet (@hattiechattaway) June 25, 2021
Hancock evidently misread the government’s ‘Hands, Face, Space’ advice as ‘Hands, Face, Embrace’
— Catherine Kelliher (@kitty_kelliher) June 25, 2021
So Hancock really had us clapping hands for NHS while he was clapping cheeks 😂 pic.twitter.com/Z6FCnuYDor
— Nashe (@king_nashe) June 25, 2021
Hancock responded to the leaked clip by apologising for breaching his social distancing rules which his department has been so eager to enforce, but failed to consider the adultery issue.
Despite the scandal linked to his name, Hancock has received backing from Prime Minister, Boris Johnson who has just married his third wife.
Sputnik